England 6-11 Scotland: Eddie Jones’ men suffer a shock defeat in their Six Nations opener

Twickenham turned tartan as Scotland lifted the Calcutta Cup on English soil for the first time since 1983.

The roars said it all as Hamish Watson booted the ball out for the final whistle. It was rugby history in the making.

England were humbled and humiliated. Just to rub it in, it was former England Under 20 centre Cameron Redpath who lifted the cup.

England suffered shock defeat to Scotland in their opening Six Nations match at Twickenham 

Scotland celebrated the 150th anniversary of the oldest rivalry in rugby with 11-6 victory

Scotland claimed their first victory at Twickenham since 1983 to win the Calcutta Cup

This was one of England’s worst performances under Eddie Jones. They were outmuscled and outfought. They lacked creativity and kicked the ball away with a lack of ambition.

If points scored is the measure of their attack, then this was England’s worst display on home soil since 2009.

In an empty stadium, Scotland generated their own energy.

Twelve months ago, one of England’s backroom staff was struck by a bottle on the way into the stadium. Here, there was little more background noise than the sound of nesting pigeons and idle stewards. Nothing to ignite the normal Six Nations shivers. No whiff off hotdogs, screech of bagpipes or sight of overcrowded train carriages at Twickenham station.

Here, the travelling reserves created the noise. They cheered every peep of the referee’s whistle as England gave away early penalties like confetti. The conceded four inside the opening six minutes alone, lying over the ball at the breakdown to slow down the supply line to Finn Russell.

England’s defenders paid close attention to the Scottish playmaker. Tom Curry and Billy Vunipola stalked him around the pitch, flying up into his eye-line every time he got the ball. But they often forgot about Cameron Redpath, on his outside shoulder. Having pledged his allegiance to Scotland over England, Redpath played like someone with a point to prove.

Duhan Van Der Merwe’s try as part of an 8-6 half-time lead proved pivotal in the victory

Russell was at the heart of their brilliant display, keeping the home defence guessing

Scotland’s mastery of almost every department was on display as Stuart Hogg led be example

He fearlessly ran the ball out of his own half – and claimed an over-the-top lineout as the Scots took the game to England. Warren Gatland, sat alone in the East Stand surrounded by empty seats, will have been pleasantly surprised as he began his Lions scouting mission.

Scotland’s forwards fronted up physically. Hamish Watson bounced through tackles and Jonny Hill poached ball at the lineout. Russell tricked defenders with his eyes – looking one way, kicking another – and Vunipola was shown a yellow card for taking out the 10 with a high tackle.

England were fortunate to avoid a second yellow for repeat penalties, with Scotland dominating the opening half an hour with 74% of the possession. Many of England’s players had not played a match for two months and it showed.

Eventually, turned pressure into points. Owen Farrell was beaten in the air by Sean Maitland, before the ball spun through Scottish hands from right to left. Duhan van der Merwe wrestled through the tackle of Elliot Daly and Scotland had the first try.

But in the final 10 minutes of the first half, England resorted to their kicking game to get back into Scottish territory. Farrell kicked his side’s first points after a ruck penalty as the Scots were wooed into running the ball out of their own half.

Russell’s moments of magic are occasionally undermined by a moment of madness and the No 10 was guilty of tripping Ben Youngs in the 39th minute. He left a trailing leg as Youngs ran the ball at first receiver from a lineout, resulting in a yellow card and three more points for Farrell. 

Cameron Redpath was already making his presence felt at inside centre on his Scotland debut

Sean Maitland was one of many Scotland stars who shone in London on Saturday evening

England, however, struggled to capitalise on the numerical advantage. Scotland controlled possession, with Al Price orchestrating tight carries as they marched their way into English territory. Ellis Genge was harshly penalised for a no arms tackle and, in his first act back on the pitch, Russell kicked he points.

As the clock hit 50 minutes, Ollie Lawrence and Anthony Watson had not even touched the ball. England had missed 26 tackles and, were it not for a missed penalty from Russell, Scotland would have been further ahead.

A booming spiral kick from Stuart Hogg pinned England back in their own half but England won a line maul turnover on their five-metre line. At long last, England had something to cheer about.

Scotland fly half Finn Russell saw a yellow card for his trip on England’s Ben Youngs

Lawrence finally received the ball after 63 minutes but fumbled in his first carry. England lost 40metres of territory after Farrell kicked the ball away in attack. Their attacking game disintegrated. George Ford was sent on for a salvage operation but his spiral bombs were to no avail.

Redpath turned over Curry in the tackle, but Hogg missed the kick and, somehow, England remained within five points.

In the past, England have snatched victories they do not deserve. But not here. Scotland failed to manage the clock in the closing two minutes, giving the ball back to England, but Watson ripped it back and sent the Scots into ecstasy. 

Re-live Sportsmail’s Ieuan Ivett’s live coverage of England vs Scotland in a famous night for the Scots at Twickenham.